Electronic fund transfer for mobile gaming

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a system and method to transfer money may include a mobile device associated with a player, a location server designed to: track a device position of the mobile device and track a vessel position, and a mobile gaming management server designed to: receive a fund transfer request from a gaming server for the mobile device, the fund transfer request including a fund amount; determine if the fund amount can be transferred to the mobile device based on the device position and the vessel position; and transfer the fund amount to the mobile device if it is determined that the fund amount can be transferred to the mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/495,973, filed Apr. 24, 2017, and entitled “ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFERFOR MOBILE GAMING,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference,and which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/632,743, filed Oct. 1, 2012, and entitled “ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFERFOR MOBILE GAMING,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference,and which in turn claims priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/542,703, filed Oct. 3, 2011, and entitled “ELECTRONICFUND TRANSFER,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic fund transfer.More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally to theelectronic fund transfer to a mobile device based upon location orposition information of the mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a gaming environment, funds used to play a game of chance may beobtained from an operator by giving the operator a check. The amount maybe credited to the player's account for use to play the games of chance.The player's domicile is sometimes checked and playing the games ofchance may sometimes be denied.

The player can cash out from the device and receive either cash or aprinted ticket to be presented to the operator. However, when playinggames of chance on a mobile device, it is inefficient or not possiblefor the player to cash out by receiving cash or a printed ticket to bepresented to the operator. Thus, electronic transfer of funds may bemore efficient for users playing games of chance on a mobile device.

OVERVIEW

The invention provides for the electronic transfer of funds to or from amobile device. The electronic transfer of funds may be used to purchaseany desired products or services such as clothes, games of chance,e-books, food, movies, and the like. In one embodiment, the electronictransfer of funds may be used to play of a game of chance on the mobiledevice. A determination of whether to transfer the funds to the mobiledevice to play the game of chance may be based upon different criteria.For example, determination of whether to transfer the funds to themobile device may be based on at least a global and local deviceposition of the mobile device. In another example, the electronictransfer of funds to the mobile device may be based upon otherpredefined rules such as a time rule, captain's rule, user definedrules, and other criteria.

In one embodiment, a system for transferring money comprises a pluralityof mobile devices, each of the plurality of mobile devices associatedwith a player and a location server operable to: track a device positionof each of the plurality of mobile devices, the device position beingrelative to the vessel and track a vessel position, the vessel positionbeing a global location relative to earth. The system may also have amobile gaming management server configured to communicate with thelocation server and a gaming server, the mobile gaming management serveroperable to: receive a fund transfer request from the gaming server, thefund transfer request associated with at least one requesting mobiledevice, the fund transfer request including a fund amount used to play agame of chance; determine if the fund amount can be transferred to theassociated mobile device based on the device position and the vesselposition; and transfer the fund amount to the associated mobile deviceif it is determined that the fund amount can be transferred to theassociated mobile device.

In another embodiment, a method for transferring funds on a vessel caninclude receiving a request to play a game of chance from at least oneof the plurality of mobile devices, the request including a fund amountused to play the game of chance; determining whether the fund amount maybe transferred to the mobile device based on at least a vessel positionof the vessel and a device position of the mobile device; andtransferring the fund amount to the mobile device if it is determinedthat the fund amount be transferred to the mobile device based on atleast a vessel position of the vessel and a device position of themobile device.

In another embodiment, a mobile gaming management device configured totransfer funds for passengers on a vessel may include at least onememory configured to store at least one passenger gaming account; and aprocessor configured to: (a) track gaming funds for use by at least oneuser of a mobile device; (b) receive a fund request including a fundamount; (c) obtain the fund amount, the fund amount used to play anon-board game of chance on the mobile device; (d) transfer the fundamount to the mobile device; (e) separately manage usage of the fundamount in a passenger gaming account, the passenger gaming accountassociated with the user playing the on-board game of chance; (f)accumulate any gaming wins from the on-board game of chance in thepassenger gaming account; and (g) close the gaming account for thepassenger at the conclusion of the vessel route.

The present invention provides other hardware configured to perform themethods of the invention, as well as software stored in amachine-readable medium (e.g., a tangible storage medium) to controldevices to perform these methods. These and other features will bepresented in more detail in the following detailed description of theinvention and the associated figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more example embodimentsand, together with the description of example embodiments, serve toexplain the principles and implementations.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an example block diagram of an electronic fund transfersystem.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example diagram of a vessel position of a cruiseship.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example layout of a cruise ship

FIG. 2C illustrates an example rules table.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for the electronic transfer offunds to a mobile device.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example method for the electronic transfer offunds to a mobile device.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example method for the electronic transfer offunds to a mobile device.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example block diagram of a computing device.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are described herein in the context of an electronic fundtransfer for mobile gaming. The following detailed description isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otherembodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled personshaving the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made indetail to implementations as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings andthe following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The invention provides for the electronic transfer of funds to or from amobile device. The electronic transfer of funds may be used to purchaseany desired products or services such as clothes, games of chance,e-books, food, movies, and the like. In one embodiment, the electronictransfer of funds may be used to play restricted entertainmentactivities such as playing a game of chance or sports betting on themobile device. A determination of whether to transfer the funds to themobile device to play the restricted entertainment activities may bebased upon different criteria. For example, determination of whether totransfer the funds to the mobile device may be based on at least aglobal and local device position or location of the mobile device. Inanother example, the electronic transfer of funds to the mobile devicemay be based upon other predefined rules such as a time rule, captain'srule (e.g. any user desired defined rules), and other criteria. Forexample, if the mobile device is on a vessel (e.g., riverboats, cars,boats, cruise ships, planes, buses, or any moveable transport device),the determination of whether to transfer funds to the mobile device maybe based upon at least where the device is relative to the vessel andwhether the vessel is in international or national waters. In anotherexample, if the mobile device is on an airplane, the determination ofwhether to transfer funds to the mobile device may be based upon atleast whether the airplane is in international airspace.

In another embodiment, the electronic transfer of funds may be used toview an X-rated movie on the mobile device. A determination of whetherto transfer the funds to the mobile device to play the game of chancemay be based upon different criteria. For example, determination ofwhether to transfer the funds to the mobile device may be based on atleast the device position of the mobile device. In another example, theelectronic transfer of funds to the mobile device may be based uponother predefined rules such as a time rule, establishment rules, userdefined rules, and other criteria. For example, if the mobile device ison a cruise ship, the determination of whether to transfer funds to themobile device may be based upon whether the mobile device is located atan appropriate position or location to view the X-rated movie, such asin a night club and not at a child care facility or restaurant buffetline. The determination may also be based upon whether a vessel positionof the vessel is in international or national waters.

FIG. 1 is an example block diagram of an electronic fund transfersystem. The electronic funds transfer system 100 may have a mobiledevice management server 102 configured to communicate with a locationserver 104, an entertainment server 106, and an establishment server108. The mobile device management server 102 may be designed as anintermediary server to store data or information such as mobile deviceinformation, rules database, user accounts, and any other desired dataor information. The mobile device information may be stored in themobile device database 110 and may include information such as themobile device identification, information of the user using the mobiledevice 116, programs on the mobile device 116, and other mobile devicedata. The mobile device 116 may be any type of portable mobile devicesuch as a mobile phone, a portable media player, a personal digitalassistant, a portable gaming device, or any other similar device.

The user of the mobile device 116 may also have a user account stored inthe user account database 112. The user account may be any informationsuch as user contact information, available funds in the user account,and any other user information. In one embodiment, any wins from a gameof chance played by the user of the mobile device 116 may be stored inthe user account.

Rules may be stored in the rules database 114. The rules may be anycriteria used to determine whether to permit or deny a fund transferrequest made by the mobile device. For example, if the fund transferrequest is to play a game of chance on the mobile device, thedetermination of whether to transfer the funds to the mobile device maybe based on at least the device position of the mobile device and thelocation of the establishment. If the mobile device is, for example,located near the childcare center and the establishment, such as acruise ship, is in international waters, the transfer fund request maybe denied. However, if the user is sitting at a bar and theestablishment, such as a cruise ship, is in international waters, thetransfer fund request may be granted. In another example, the fundtransfer request may also be based upon a time rule that may bepredetermined by the establishment. For example, the establishment mayset games of chance to be played between 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thus, if thetransfer fund request is made at 3 a.m., the transfer of fund to playthe game of chance may be denied. If the transfer fund request is madeat 12 p.m., the transfer of fund to play the game of chance may bepermitted.

The mobile device management server 102 may be configured to communicatewith an entertainment server 106, which may be configured to communicatewith the mobile device 116. The mobile device 116 may purchase any typeof services or products from entertainment server 106 such as clothes,play a game of chance, watch television shows or movies, listen tomusic, read e-books, play video games, or any other desired services orproducts.

The location server 104 may be configured to determine the location ofthe mobile device 116 and the establishment. The location server 104 mayhave a global position server 118 to determine the location of theestablishment. In one embodiment, establishment may be a mobileestablishment such as a cruise ship, airplane, bus, and the like. Inanother embodiment, establishment may be a non-mobile establishment suchas a grocery store, casino, riverboat, and the like. Global positionserver 118 may use any known position or location method to determinethe location of the establishment such as cellular positioning,triangulation, global positioning systems, or any other location orpositioning determining method.

The location server 104 may also have a device position server 120designed or configured to determine the position or location of themobile device 116 relative to the establishment. In one example, if theestablishment is a cruise ship, the device position of the mobile device116 is the position of the mobile device 116 relative to the cruiseship. The device position server 120 may use any known position orlocation method to determine the location of the mobile device 116 suchas cellular positioning, triangulation, global positioning systems, orany other location or positioning determining method.

The location server 104 may have a location database 113 to store theglobal position of the establishment and the device position of themobile device. The global position and device position may be associatedwith a mobile device.

Mobile device management server 102 may also be configured tocommunicate with an establishment server 108. Establishment server 108may be configured to store customer information in the customer mainaccount database 122. The establishment server 108 may store informationsuch as customer credit card information, address, username andpassword, date of birth, and any other desired information.

Example

The example described below is for illustrative purposes only and is notintended to be limiting Although example embodiments illustrate thevessel as a cruise ship, this is not intended to be limiting as thevessel may be an airplane, bus, car, train, riverboat, or any othermovable transport device. In another example, the service requested isto play a game of chance, however, any other type of services orproducts, such as to watch a movie, listen to music, and the like may berequested.

When boarding a cruise ship, the passenger's information may be storedin the customer main account 122 in the establishment server 108. Thepassenger's information may include financial information such as creditcard information, address, birth date, family members, room number, roomkey number, username and password, and any other passenger information.

The passenger may be associated with a mobile device 116 to obtainservices or products. In one embodiment, the mobile device 116 may beprovided to the passenger. In another embodiment, the passenger mayutilize his own mobile device 116. The passenger may request a transferof funds to play a game of chance using the mobile device 116. Therequest may include a fund amount of $200.00 and the request to playWheel of Fortune®. The passenger may also be authenticated and/orverified by including the passenger's username and password with therequest. However, any other authentication and/or verification methodmay be used to authenticate and/or verify the user of the mobile devicesuch as biometric verification (i.e. voice recognition, retinal scan,fingerprint verification, and the like).

The request to transfer funds may be transmitted from the mobile device116 to the entertainment server 106. The entertainment server 106 maytransmit the request to the mobile device management server 102. Themobile device management server 102 may determine whether the passengerhas a user account 112. If the passenger does not have a user account112, a user account 112 may be created for the passenger.

The mobile device management server 102 may obtain location informationfrom the location server 104. The global position server 118 maydetermine a global ship position of the vessel relative to the world orearth. Referring to FIG. 2A, an example diagram of a ship location of acruise ship, the global position server may use any location or positiondetermination methods to determine the location of the cruise ship 202.The cruise ship 202 may be positioned or located in international waters206 or national waters 204. Thus, the ship location may be a globallocation relative to the world or earth 200. As illustrated, the cruiseship 202 is located in international waters 206.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the device position server 120 of the locationserver 104 may determine a device position of the mobile device 116relative to the cruise ship. Referring to FIG. 2B, an example layout ofa cruise ship, the cruise ship 210 may have a main pool 212, pool bar214, children's pool 216, restaurant 218, night club/bar 220, kids clubor childcare center 222, reception 224, and gift store 226 on its maindeck. Specific gaming areas may be predetermined on the cruise ship 210.For example, games of chance may be played at the main pool 212, poolbar 214, and night club/bar 220 on the main deck. Games of chance maynot be permitted to be played at the children's pool 216, restaurant218, kids club or childcare center 222, reception 224, and gift store226. In one example, passenger A 228 may want to play a game of chancewhile lounging at the main pool 212. The location server may determinethat the device position of the mobile device is at or around the mainpool area 212. In another embodiment, passenger B 230 may want to play agame of chance while at the kids club or childcare center 222. Thelocation server 104 may determine that the device position of the mobiledevice is at or around the childcare center 222.

Referring back to FIG. 1, once the vessel position and device positionare determined, the information may be associated with the mobile deviceand stored in the location database 113. The mobile device managementserver 102 may request and obtain location information for each mobiledevice from the location server 104. Once obtained, the mobile devicemanagement server 102 may determine whether the fund amount may betransferred to the mobile device. The determination may be based uponthe rules stored in the rules database 114. For example, since passengerA is located at the main pool area where playing games of chance arepermitted, the mobile device management server 102 may determine thatthe fund amount may be transferred to the mobile device 116 of passengerA.

However, since passenger B is located at the childcare center whereplaying games of chance are not permitted, the transfer of funds will bedenied. In this embodiment, a denial message may be transmitted to themobile device of passenger B. The denial message may also include atleast one reason for the denial of the transfer fund request. Forexample, the denial message may display that games are chance are notpermitted to be played in the childcare center.

Since passenger A is permitted to play the game of chance, the mobiledevice management server 102 may then determine whether there is enoughfunds in the user account 112. If there is not enough funds in the useraccount 112, the mobile device management server 102 may obtainpassenger information, such as financial information, from the passengermain account 122 stored in the establishment server 108. For example,the mobile device management server 102 may obtain the passenger'scredit card information in order to transfer the fund amount of $200.00requested by the passenger. The $200.00 may then be transferred to themobile device 116 via the entertainment server 106. The entertainmentserver 106 may also enable play of the game of chance on the mobiledevice 116 subsequent to the transfer of funds to the mobile device 116.

Prior to the transfer of the fund amount, the mobile device managementserver 102 may also user other criteria to determine whether to transferthe fund amount. For example, one criterion may be a time rule. A timestamp on the request for transfer of funds may be used to determinewhether the game of chance may be played on the mobile device. If thetime stamp was at 3 a.m., the game of chance may not be permitted to beplayed and the transfer of funds may be denied. If the time stamp was at10 a.m., the game of chance may be permitted to be played and thetransfer of funds may be approved. The time rule may also be updatedbased on different time zones.

In another example, one criterion may be the age of the passenger. Ifthe user information obtained from the customer main account 122indicates that the passenger is only 18 years old, based upon certaingaming rules, the game of chance may not be permitted to be played andthe transfer of funds may be denied. It will now be appreciated that themobile device management server 102 may use any other desired criteriato determine whether or not to transfer the fund amount to the mobiledevice 116.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example rules table. The rules table may bestored, for example, in the rules database 114 illustrated in FIG. 1.The rules table 240 may include criteria used to determine whether totransfer the fund amount 252 to the mobile device. Each criterion may beassociated with a device 242. As illustrated, the criteria may be basedon device position or location 244, vessel position or location 246,time 248, and product or service requested 250.

Device 1 254 may be located at the main pool in international waters. Arequest to transfer funds to play a game of chance may be received at 11a.m. Based on the device position, vessel position, and time rule, themobile device management server 102 may determine that the fund amountmay be transferred to the mobile device to play the game of chance.

Device 2 256 may be located at the childcare center in internationalwaters. A request to transfer funds to play a game of chance may bereceived at 3 p.m. Based on the device position, vessel position, andtime rule, the mobile device management server 102 may determine thatthe fund amount may not be transferred to the mobile device to play thegame of chance.

Device 3 258 may be located at the night club in international waters. Arequest to transfer funds to watch an X-rated movie may be received at11 p.m. Based on the device position, vessel position, and time rule,the mobile device management server 102 may determine that the fundamount may be transferred to the mobile device to watch the X-ratedmovie.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for the electronic transfer offunds to a mobile device. Although example embodiments illustrate thevessel as a cruise ship, this is not intended to be limiting as thevessel may be used such an airplane, bus, car, train, riverboat, or anyother movable transport device. The method 300 may begin with receipt ofa request to play a game of chance from a mobile device at 302. Therequest may include a fund amount and transferred to an entertainmentserver, e.g. such as entertainment server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. Theentertainment server may transmit the request to an intermediary server,e.g. such as mobile device management server 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.The intermediary server may determine whether the passenger has a useraccount at 304. If the passenger does not have a user account, a useraccount may be created for the passenger 306.

The intermediary server may obtain a vessel position of the cruise shipand device position of the mobile device at 308. The vessel position anddevice position may be obtained from a location server, e.g. such aslocation server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. The vessel position of thevessel may be a position relative to the world or earth. The deviceposition of the mobile device may be a position relative to the vessel.

Once obtained, the intermediary server may determine whether the fundamount may be transferred to the mobile device at 310. The determinationmay be based upon the rules stored in a rules database, e.g. such asrules database 114 illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, thedetermination whether to transfer the fund amount may be based on atleast the device position and the vessel position. In anotherembodiment, the determination whether to transfer the fund amount may bebased on at least time rules, user information, available funds,establishment rules, or any other predetermined criteria. If theintermediary server determines that the transfer of the fund amount isnot permitted at 310, the method 300 may end.

If the intermediary server determines that the transfer of the fundamount is permitted at 310, a determination of whether the game ofchance is permitted to be played on the mobile device is made at 312. Inone embodiment, the determination whether the game of chance ispermitted to be played on the mobile device may be based on at least thedevice position and the vessel position. In another embodiment, thedetermination of whether the game of chance is permitted to be played onthe mobile device may be based on at least time rules, user information,establishment rules, or any other predetermined criteria. If theintermediary server determines that the game of chance is not permittedto be played on the mobile device, the method 300 may end. If theintermediary server determines that the game of chance is permitted tobe played on the mobile device, the fund amount may be transferred tothe mobile device and the game of chance may be enabled on the mobiledevice at 314.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example method for the electronic transfer offunds to a mobile device. The method 400 may begin with the vesselposition and device position being periodically updated at 402. Thevessel position and device position may be periodically updated by alocation server, e.g. such as location server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1.Updating the vessel position and device position ensures that therestricted entertainment activities, playing the game of chance, arecarried out only in allowable areas, environments and times. Theintermediary server may determine whether the game of chance may bepermitted to be played on the mobile device at 404. In one embodiment,the determination of whether the game of chance may be permitted to beplayed on the mobile device may be based upon the updated vesselposition and updated device position. For example, although the originaldevice position may have been in an area where playing games of chanceis permitted, the updated device position may now indicate the mobiledevice is located at a location where playing games of chance is notpermitted. In one embodiment, the determination of whether the game ofchance may be permitted to be played on the mobile device may also bebased upon an updated time as well. For example, although the time mayhave been a time when playing games of chance is permitted (e.g., 7 am-3am), the updated time may now indicate the mobile gaming device is beingplayed at a time when playing games of chance is not permitted (e.g. 3am-7 am).

If it is determined that the game of chance of is permitted to be playedat 404, the method may continue at 402. If it is determined that thegame of chance is not permitted to be played at 404, a terminationnotification may be transmitted to the mobile device at 406. In oneembodiment, the termination notification may include at least one reasonfor termination of the game of chance. For example, the reason fortermination may be based on the vessel position. The vessel may beentering into national waters from international waters. In anotherexample, the reason for termination may be because the mobile deviceentered an unauthorized location where playing games of chance are notpermitted. In still another example, the reason for termination may bebecause the time restriction to end play of the game of chance isimminent.

A determination may be made as to whether there are any gaming wins at408. If the user has any wins and/or credits from playing the game ofchance, the wins and/or credits may be stored in the user account in theintermediary server. Since wins and/or credits may not be transmittedback to a user's credit card or “reverse deposited”, the wins and/orcredits may be stored in the user account in the intermediary server.The passenger may reconcile and close out the user account in theintermediary server when the passenger's trip ends.

If there are no gaming wins at 408 or after transfer of the gaming winsto the user account in the intermediary server at 410, the game ofchance may be terminated on the mobile device at 412.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example method for the electronic transfer offunds to a mobile device. The method 500 may begin with receipt of arequest to play a game of chance from a mobile device at 502. Therequest may include a fund amount and time stamp. The request may betransferred to an entertainment server, e.g. such as entertainmentserver 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. The entertainment server may transmitthe request to an intermediary server, e.g. such as mobile devicemanagement server 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The intermediary server may obtain a vessel position of the vessel anddevice position of the mobile device at 504. The vessel position anddevice position may be obtained from, for example, a location servere.g. such as location server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. The vesselposition of the vessel may be a position relative to the world or earth.The device position of the mobile device may be a position relative tothe vessel.

Once obtained, the intermediary server may determine whether the game ofchance may be played on the mobile device based upon the vessel positionat 506. If it is determined that the game of chance may not be played onthe mobile device based upon the vessel position at 506, the method 500may end. If it is determined that the game of chance may be played onthe mobile device based upon the vessel position at 506, a determinationof whether the game of chance may be played on the mobile device basedupon the device position at 508.

If it is determined that the game of chance may not be played on themobile device based upon the device position at 508, the method 500 mayend. If it is determined that the game of chance may be played on themobile device based upon the device position at 508, a determination ofwhether the game of chance may be played on the mobile device based uponthe time stamp at 510. If it is determined that the game of chance maynot be played on the mobile device based upon the time stamp at 510, themethod 500 may end. If it is determined that the game of chance may beplayed on the mobile device based upon the time stamp at 510, passengerinformation from the customer main account, including available funds toplay on-board games of chance, may be obtained at 512. The determinationof whether the game of chance may be played on the mobile device basedupon the vessel position, device position, time stamp, or passengerinformation may be similar to the determination described above withrespect to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4.

The passenger information obtained from the user account may be anyinformation necessary to transfer funds to the mobile device. Forexample, the passenger information may include financial informationsuch as credit card information, passenger address and phone number,passenger date of birth, and any other information necessary in thetransfer of funds to the mobile device.

A determination of whether the passenger has available funds may be madeat 514. In one embodiment, the passenger information may also includeany information related to playing games of chance. For example, thepassenger may have a daily fund amount or limit to play games of chance,such as restricting game play to only $200.00 per day. In anotherexample, the passenger may have a total limit of $500.00 used to playgames of chance for the entire trip. If it is determined that thepassenger does not have available funds at 514, the method 500 may end.If it is determined that the passenger does have available funds at 514,a determination of whether the game of chance may be played on themobile device based on passenger information may be made at 516. Forexample, if the passenger information includes the date of birthindicating that the passenger is 18 years old, based upon certain gamingrules, the intermediary server may determine that the game of chance maynot be permitted to be played on the mobile device.

If it is determined that the game of chance may be played on the mobiledevice based on passenger information at 516, the fund amount may betransferred to the mobile device and the game of chance may be enabledon the mobile device at 518.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example block diagram of a computing device 600.The computing device 600 can represent circuitry of a representativecomputing device (e.g. mobile device, mobile device management sever,location server, establishment server, entertainment server) describedand illustrated in FIG. 1. The computing device can be designed toprimarily stationary or can be portable.

The computing device 600 includes a processor 602 that pertains to amicroprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation ofthe computing device 600. The computing device 600 stores datapertaining to passengers, products and services, location, and the likein a file system 604 and a cache 606. The file system 604 is, typically,semiconductor memory (e.g., Flash memory) and/or one or more storagedisks. The file system 604 typically provides high capacity storagecapability for the computing device 600. However, since the access timeto the file system 604 can be relatively slow, the computing device 600can also include the cache 606. The cache 606 is, for example,Random-Access Memory (RAM). The relative access time to the cache 606 istypically shorter than for the file system 604. However, the cache 606does not have the large storage capacity of the file system 604. Thecomputing device 600 also includes a RAM 620 and a Read-Only Memory(ROM) 622. The ROM 622 can store programs, utilities or processes to beexecuted in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 620 provides volatile datastorage, such as for the cache 606.

The computing device 600 may also include a user input device 608 thatallows a user of the computing device 600 to interact with the computingdevice 600. For example, the user input device 608 can take a variety offorms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch-sensitive surface,joystick, and the like. Still further, the computing device 600 includesa display 610 (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor602 to display information to the user. A data bus 611 can facilitatedata transfer between at least the file system 604, the cache 606, theprocessor 602, an audio coder/decoder (CODEC) 612 and/or a video CODEC615.

In one embodiment, for example, if the computing device 600 (e.g. mobiledevice 116, establishment server 108, mobile device management server102, location server 104, entertainment server 106 illustrated inFIG. 1) is a mobile gaming device, the computing device 600 may store aplurality of games of chance in the file system 604. When a user desiresto have the computing device play a particular game of chance, a list ofavailable games of chance is displayed on the display 610. Then, usingthe user input device 608, a user can select one of the games of chanceto play. The processor 602, upon receiving a selection of a particularmedia item, supplies the game of chance data to one or more appropriateoutput devices. If the particular media item is encrypted, theparticular media item is first decrypted as noted above, which couldinvolve one or more layers of encryption. As an example, for audiooutput, the processor 602 can supply the media data (e.g., audio file)for the particular media item to the audio CODEC 612. The audio CODEC612 can then produce analog output signals for a speaker 614. Thespeaker 614 can be a speaker internal to the computing device 600 orexternal to the computing device 600. For example, headphones orearphones that connect to the computing device 600 would be consideredan external speaker. As another example, for video output, the processor602 can supply the media data (e.g., video file) for the particularmedia item to the video CODEC 615. The video CODEC 615 can then produceoutput signals for the display 610 and/or the speaker 614.

The computing device 600 also includes a network/bus interface 616 thatcouples to a data link 618. The data link 618 allows the computingdevice 600 to couple to another device (e.g., a host computer, a powersource, or an accessory device). The data link 618 can be provided overa wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wirelessconnection, the network/bus interface 616 can include a wirelesstransceiver.

The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of theinvention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.Embodiments of the invention can, for example, be implemented bysoftware, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.Embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as computer readablecode on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is anydata storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read bya computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generallyinclude read-only memory and random-access memory. More specificexamples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flashmemory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetictape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium canalso be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will become obviousto those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the present invention.

In the foregoing description, reference to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” means that a particular feature, structure,or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts ordiagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do notinherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations inthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transferring funds for playing awager-based game on a moveable vehicle, the method comprising:determining, with a location server onboard the movable vehicle, avehicle position of the moveable vehicle relative to earth; determiningwith the location server onboard the moveable vehicle a device positionof at least one of a plurality of mobile devices relative to themoveable vehicle; determining whether funds for play of the wager-basedgame are available to the at least one of the plurality of mobiledevices based at least in part on the vehicle position of the movablevehicle and the device position of the at least one of the plurality ofmobile devices relative to the moveable vehicle; and transferringelectronically the funds available to the at least one of the pluralityof mobile devices when the funds are determined to be made available tothe at least one of the plurality of mobile devices based at least inpart on the vehicle position of the moveable vehicle and the deviceposition of the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices, toenable the wager-based game on the at least one of the plurality ofmobile devices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle positionof the moveable vehicle is a global location relative to earth.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the device position of the at least one ofthe plurality of mobile devices is a position relative to the moveablevehicle.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a fundtransfer request associated with the at least one of the plurality ofmobile devices, the fund transfer request including a fund amount forused to play the wager-based game.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining whether the funds for the wager-based game are availablefurther comprises determining whether the wager-based game is permittedto be played on the at least one of the plurality of mobile devicesbased on a time stamp.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingperiodically updating the device position and the vehicle position. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising automatically terminatingcurrent play of the wager-based game if the wager-based game is notpermitted to be played with the device position that has been updated orthe vehicle position that has been updated.
 8. A system for transferringfunds for playing a wager-based game on a moveable vehicle, the systemcomprising: at least one location server onboard the movable vehicle,comprising at least one processor and memory storing a plurality ofinstructions, which, when executed, cause the at least one processor toat least: determine a vehicle position of the moveable vehicle relativeto earth, determine a device position of at least one of a plurality ofmobile devices relative to the moveable vehicle, determine if a fundrequest is received from the at least one of the plurality of mobiledevices, determine, responsive to determining that the fund request isreceived from the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices,whether funds for play of the wager-based game are available to the atleast one of the plurality of mobile devices based at least in part onthe vehicle position of the moveable vehicle and the device position ofthe at least one of the plurality of mobile devices relative to themoveable vehicle, and electronically transfer the funds available basedon the fund request to the at least one of the plurality of mobiledevices when the funds are determined to be made available to the atleast one of the plurality of mobile devices based at least in part onthe vehicle position of the moveable vehicle and the device position ofthe at least one of the plurality of mobile devices relative to themoveable vehicle, to enable the wager-based game on the at least one ofthe plurality of mobile devices.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thevehicle position of the moveable vehicle is a global location relativeto earth.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the device position of theat least one of the plurality of mobile devices is a position relativeto the moveable vehicle.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein theinstructions, when executed, further cause the at least one processor toreceive the fund request associated with the at least one of theplurality of mobile devices, the fund request including a fund amountfor used to play the wager-based game.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the at least oneprocessor to determine whether the wager-based game is permitted to beplayed on the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices based on atime stamp.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, further cause the at least one processor to periodicallyupdate the device position and the vehicle position.
 14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the atleast one processor to automatically terminate current play of thewager-based game if the wager-based game is not permitted to be playedwith the device position that has been updated or the vehicle positionthat has been updated.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions for conducting a wager-based game on a systemincluding a moveable vehicle, and a location server on the moveablevehicle, the location server including at least one processor, theinstructions, which, when executed, cause at least one processor toperform the steps of: determining with the location server a vehicleposition of the moveable vehicle relative to earth; determining with thelocation server a device position of at least one of a plurality ofmobile devices relative to the moveable vehicle; receiving a fundtransfer request associated with the at least one of the plurality ofmobile devices, the fund transfer request including a fund amount forused to play the wager-based game; determining whether the fund amountfor play of the wager-based game are available to the at least one ofthe plurality of mobile devices based at least in part on the vehicleposition of the moveable vehicle and the device position of the at leastone of the plurality of mobile devices relative to the moveable vehicle;and transferring electronically the fund amount available to the atleast one of the plurality of mobile devices when the fund amount isdetermined to be made available to the at least one of the plurality ofmobile devices based at least in part on the vehicle position of themoveable vehicle and the device position of the at least one of theplurality of mobile devices relative to the moveable vehicle, to enablethe wager-based game on the at least one of the plurality of mobiledevices.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the vehicle position of the moveable vehicle is a globallocation relative to earth.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 16, wherein the device position of the at least one ofthe plurality of mobile devices is a position relative to the moveablevehicle.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the at least oneprocessor to perform the step of determining whether the wager-basedgame is permitted to be played on the at least one of the plurality ofmobile devices based on a time stamp.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, further cause the at least one processor to perform the stepof periodically updating the device position and the vehicle position.20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theinstructions, when executed, further cause the at least one processor toperform the step of automatically terminating current play of thewager-based game if the wager-based game is not permitted to be playedwith the device position that has been updated or the vehicle positionthat has been updated.